Birding and Nature Connection (Naturalist Mikael Behrens)

Discover a simple sense calibration you can do anytime you head outside to go hiking, hunting, birding or any other nature activity which will greatly enhance your outdoor experiences, likelihood of seeing wildlife, and ability to notice things you might otherwise miss. The entire exercise takes just a few minutes and can help quiet your mind while making you more receptive to what's happening around you. You'll learn four simple exercises: owl eyes, deer eyes, dog nose, salamander skin.

We all love nature, but most of us go in with an agenda—find birds, catch fish, hike to the viewpoint, identify plants, or simply check another adventure off the list. So what if those expectations are actually causing us to miss some of nature's greatest gifts? Learn how to become truly present in nature by letting go of distracting thoughts, attachment to objectives, and emotional expectations so you can be fully open to what the natural world is offering in each moment.

Songbirds outside your window are broadcasting life-and-death stories right now! Bird language is far more than birdwatching. It is an immersive practice of listening and observing that changes how one perceives the world. By stepping into the passive, receptive state required to decode avian communication, individuals learn to interpret the complex social webs, survival strategies, and relationships birds maintain with their environment.

We're told to "get outside more" — but do you know why nature is so essential to your wellbeing, and what kinds of nature experiences actually create deep, lasting connection? Discover the science and ancestral wisdom behind our bond with the natural world, and learn the difference between passively enjoying nature and truly participating in it.

Chi-Wei Chang, an ecotherapy instructor, discusses the science of how nature immersion supports mental health, emphasizing that spending time in nature isn’t just relaxing—it’s a vital practice for mental and emotional well-being. She also explains how modern indoor lifestyles, manmade noise, and screen exposure overstimulate our nervous systems, while connecting with nature—through breathing, sensory awareness, and mindful time outdoors—helps restore balance, reduce stress, and boost creativity.

How do extreme weather events form—and how can you recognize when one is becoming dangerous? In this episode, veteran meteorologist Troy Kimmel explains how to interpret large-scale weather patterns and spot the warning signs that often appear before disasters like the 2025 Texas floods. He breaks down the climatic factors that cause flash floods, prolonged heat waves, and major winter storms, and shares practical ways individuals and communities can react to developing conditions and prepare before the worst hits.

Leïla Six is a singer-songwriter on a mission to remind us all that we are nature. She writes about the ecological challenges we are facing, the circle of life and the beauty of seasons, and how she uses music to situate the human experience within its broader natural context.

Learn to understand the language of animals in your own yard by simply paying attention to bird calls, animal movements, and subtle changes in your surroundings. It's easy and once start, you'll quickly learn to recognize patterns, detect predators, and develop a deeper connection to the wildlife in your everyday environment.

Wildlife ecologist, sculptor and author George Bumann shares insights from his new book Eavesdropping on Animals and explores how learning to interpret the language of animals can transform the way you experience nature—not just in remote settings, but outside your own doorstep.

Educator Kyra Stephenson, 'The Nature Lady', discusses the transformative effects nature based-education has on children's attitudes, behavior, and desire to learn along with tips for implementing in any school setting.